Nothing I've Become

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Lita yawned as she tapped her fingers impatiently on the window sill.

She was back at home, sitting on the tiny sofa in her small living room, gazing out the window at nothng in particular. Her thoughts were consumed by everything she'd learned in the past two days... On Edge...

She wondered why it seemed nearly impossible for her to rid herself of thoughts of the man. It was most likely due to the fact of his mysteriousness - not to mention the fact that she was undeniably attracted to him.

The redhead sighed, then ran a hand through her long hair. She couldn't understand how Dawn Marie could have hidden such things as her marriage, her worry and anguish over her husband's fate. Lita knew that, had she been in her friend's shoes, she'd never have been able to pretend and hide the way the brunette had.

And that brought back the question of Edge's role in all of this... Why did the tall blond man attack Dawn Marie's husband?

Lita was suddenly startled out of her thoughts as something soft brushed against her. She looked down to see Cody nuzzling her knee.

Settling back against the couch cushions, she reached down to pet the doberman. She sat quietly for several long, pensive minutes, her gaze focused somewhere far ahead of her.

Then, training her gaze on the dog, she spoke.

"I have to find out what's going on, Cody...In fact, I won't rest until I do..."

*

Lita felt as though she were floating. It was a very strange sensation, especially considering the fact that she was walking. Plus, she was on her way home after work, her shift at the diner having just ended - it was nearly three in the morning.

The redhead yawned, running a hand lazily through her hair. All she could think of was getting home, to her nice, warm, welcoming bed.

All of a sudden, Lita was wide awake as she heard footsteps behind her. They sounded very close, at that...

Not chancing a glance over her shoulder, the young woman quickened her step, her heart suddenly pounding in triple time like a double-bass drum.

Damn it... Lita thought. Some creep was following her. And why did that have to happen? She didn't have much money to give to a mugger. She was a waitress, for crying out loud!

And oh, God... She could only hope and pray that the guy following her was not a rapist...

Suddenly, somehow, Lita found herself at a dead end. She didn't know how such a thing were possible, for there weren't any dead end streets around these parts - but sure enough, it was there. She decided to make an attempt at bravado she didn't really feel.

Turning around to face her stalker, her eyes looking all around - it was pitch dark and she couldn't see the asshole - she spoke.

"Leave me alone, if you know what's good for you, creep!"

No response...

"I know tae kwon do, so don't even try me, shithead!" she yelled. She stood there, her heart pounding even harder at the preternatural silence. Then, in the blink of an eye, a dark shadow sprang out toward her, and Lita's scream was cut short as the man speared her with all his weight to the bare ground...

"Oh, God!"

The redhead glanced all around, her eyes wide, her breathing fast. And then she suddenly calmed down as she noticed Cody nearby, the dog looking at her, his burly head cocked to one side.

It had all just been a dream...
 
 
 
 

Part 10

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